Phytochemical analysis and antifungal property of <i>Mallotus oppositifolius</i> (Geiseler) Müll.Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

Abstract

The emergence of resistant fungi to available drugs highlights the need for new antifungal drugs. The present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of the isolated compounds, fractions and crude extract from the leaf of Mallotus oppositifolius (Geiseler) Müll. Arg. Three pure compounds labelled 1-3 were isolated from the methylene chloride / methanol (1/1) extract of the leaf of this plant using chromatography techniques. These compounds were identified using analytical spectroscopic methods as betulinic acid (1), quercetine (2) and quercitin (3). The crude extract, fractions and compounds were tested against pathogenic yeasts (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei) and dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum langeronii) using agar well diffusion and dilution methods. The safety of the crude extract was studied on Wistar rats according to the WHO guidelines. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 48 to 781 μg/ml against yeasts for crude extract and fractions, and 1.86 to 25000 μg/ml against dermatophytes for pure compounds, fractions and crude extract. The antifungal activity of pure compounds was not determined against yeasts. The crude extract of leaf was found to be safe in rat at up to 12 g/kg. The results achieved supported the traditional use of Mallotus oppositifolius leaf for the treatment of fungal infections.

Keywords: Mallotus oppositifolius, antifungal activity, safety, phytochemical screening.